Jewish community criticises decision to fly flag above Glasgow City Chambers
in solidarity with those affected by conflict in Gaza

Glasgow City Council has raised the Palestinian flag over the city chambers in a controversial move designed to show solidarity with those affected by the conflict in Gaza.

Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said she had written to the mayor of Bethlehem to inform her of the gesture. Glasgow is twinned with the West Bank city and the councillor offered her “heartfelt sympathy” to the people of Gaza.

Nearly 1,900 Palestinians and 67 Israelis have been killed since fighting between Israel and Hamas began in early July.

However, the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council said it was “angered and hurt” by the authority’s decision.

Paul Morron, its president, claimed the move was the “worst kind of gesture politics” and would do nothing to alleviate suffering on either side or bring peace closer. Some Glaswegians also expressed their "disgust" and "horror" over the move on the council's Facebook site.

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Glasgow City Council has raised the Palestinian flag over the city chambers (Huddleboard.net)

In a letter to Vera Baboun, mayor of Bethlehem, Ms Docherty wrote: “Glasgow is home to many friends of Palestine and this is a deeply distressing time for them.

“They represent a variety of ethnicities, political persuasion, faiths and none. However, they are united by a common desire to support the Palestinian people.

“In solidarity with Bethlehem and Palestine, Glasgow City Council will raise the Palestinian flag on Friday August 8. We hope that peace can be found to ensure human rights for the people of Palestine.

Mr Morron said the council was more likely to cause division than reconciliation, adding: “Glasgow has just celebrated the most wonderful and inclusive Commonwealth Games, the essence of which was bringing people together and overcoming division.

“The city council as the host of the Games should be emulating their spirit and bringing people together, not causing offence and division within their community.”

He said the Jewish community also deplored the Scottish Government’s call for an arms embargo on Israel.

David Meikle, the Scottish Conservative councillor, said he was disappointed the decision was taken without consulting members and said it could cause division in the city.

He added: “I not that the Lord Provost has also written to the mayor of Bethlehem advising them of the decision to fly the flag. I failed to read in the letter where the Lord Provost mentions the plight of the Christian population in Bethlehem who are leaving owing to harassment.

“I also failed to see in the letter any condemnation of the Hamas terrorists who have declared war on Israel and their use of civilians as human shields to protect its forces.”

The decision to raise the flag at 8am on Friday also prompted an angry response on social media sites, with Elaine Cooper writing that she was “absolutely disgusted any Scottish council would blatantly support an organisation like Hamas”.

lan Young said it was wrong for the council to take sides in the conflict, adding: "This is not the decision of the people of Glasgow, it is individuals at GCC abusing their position.”

Debbie Barnett said: “I am horrified that Glasgow City Council are flying the Palestinian flag on the City Chambers… The victims are the innocents on both sides but by flying the Palestinian flag, you are legitimising Hamas and victimising Israel. It perpetuates the ‘them and us’ mentality and the deep division which already exits.”

Others took to Twitter to say that seeing the flag over the city made them "proud to be Glaswegian", while one user suggested "London needs to take a leaf out of Glasgow's book".

Meanwhile, Fife Council said it also planned to fly a Palestinian flag at its Glenrothes headquarters for a week in protest at the suffering of the people of Gaza.

David Ross, the council leader, said: “I hope that by flying this flag we can raise awareness of the suffering of the people of Gaza and add strength to the public pressure for a lasting ceasefire which can help bring about peace and stability in the area.”